Dinner with Captain?

[RocketMan275]

I have a friend who claims it is his people skills and charming personality that are his passport to dining with the Captain. He's something like Double Elite Diamond with Horseshoes which is probably a better explanation of why he's invited on almost all cruises. He usually books insides so it's not the cabin category. I think he's dined with the Captain 10 or more times.

 

He did say that it's been his experience that certain crew members are sometimes tasked to look for passengers they would think would be appropriate guests for the Captain's Table. Those tasked to make the selections are not necessarily the obvious ones like the Concierge but maybe a fairly junior person who the Captain trusts to make the selection. Also, it's a prerequisite that this person has the time to devote to the process.

 

He did tell me a story about one of the times he was selected. He and his wife were having a cup of coffee in the promenade when they were approached by a young lady crew member who asked them the usual stuff about how are you enjoying the cruise, do you cruise often, what do you do for a living, etc. After a few minutes of conversation this young lady asked if they had ever dined with the Captain. She was delighted to learn that they had done so numerous times and she extended them an invitation to dinner the next night. The young lady confided that finding interesting people to dine with the Captain was part of her duties.

 

The moral of this story is this. You may never know when you're being 'interviewed' for an invitation.

 

My friend also says that he often encounters people like the Matre'd, Concierge, etc., who remember him from previous cruises. He suspects that they may also nominate him. He said one of the critical selection criteria they look for is people who will not embarrass the Captain. He's pretty much a known quantity so they know he will be suitable.

[papaflamingo]

Have dined with the Captain 3 times. First time it was because we "looked like a fun group." We actually were. Dinner started at 8:30 and we were still there at 11:45 while they were setting up for the Chocolate Buffet (1999).

The second time was on a Trans Atlantic. We (the guys) were wearing Flamingo Ties with our tuxes at the Captains Reception. He asked about them and a friend told the story behind them. He commented we seemed like a fun group of friends and she said we were, and he should have dinner with us. So two nights before the last Formal Night the Captain personally came looking for us in the Diamond/Concierge Event to get our room numbers for an invitation.

The last time, the Restaurant Manager asked us. He did it privately because he wasn't asking our table mates. The reason was, he said, that they weren't quite dressed appropriately for Formal Night. He had done us a great service in changing our table and visited us every night, so he got to know us. That was also a big consideration.

The food is usually a very nice menu. It is specific to the Captain's Table, and there is nice wine with each course. It's a very nice event.

One comment, not trying to stir the pot, if you don't dress for Formal Night you likely won't be asked. I have never seen anyone at the Captain's Table in less than coat and tie for men. I don't know how they decide for first formal night, and can't say I've particularly noticed if anyone is dressed casually at the Captain's Table. But if you really want an invitation, I'd suggest dressing for Formal Night, and get to know the Maitre D'.

[welshrich]

For a surefire way, when you see the Captain around the ship, shake his hand and press and crisp $5 into his hand and giving him a knowing wink just say "Let me know which night" :D

[Thoie]

For a surefire way, when you see the Captain around the ship, shake his hand and press and crisp $5 into his hand and giving him a knowing wink just say "Let me know which night" :D

 

I did that once. Turns out, Thursday night was my turn to stir the sewage tanks.

[cruisegalfl]

We had dinner with Captain Marek on the Vision last week. He did dinner for both formal nights one early and one late seating. Both dinners where all the top cruisers. He also invited the Pinnacle members, there were 16 of us, to his cabin for drinks and appetizers, that was really nice. He is one of the friendliest Captains we have ever sailed with.

[hshowalter]

My wife & I have only been invited to the Captains table 10 times ;all with Celebrity. It was the Captains Club Hostess who invited us.

[MichaelCMTX]

How does one get invited to dinner with Captain? Is it only for OS and RS? Or do GS get invited too?

 

The score is 4 times in a GS and 2 in OS and no Captain's invite yet. I know three different times we chatted with the couple the RS (twice they were at our table) and all three times they were invited.

 

Maybe once we get to 14 and 12 I'll start wondering, but a non-issue to me now.

 

It really is such a random combination of factors we just figure "if they ask us, we'll certainly go, but not going to work at it."

 

On our recent trip on Voyager we spoke to some first time cruisers that were in a suite, and they were invited to the Captain's table, and they said, "sorry, we already booked for Izumi's, no thanks!"

 

:rolleyes:

[sandancer]

On Celebrity several yrs. ago. We were both long time X cruisers.Elite, almost E+. Upon asking how they choose, was told Elite hostess and Food and Beverage manager got together to pick and choose. I remember talking with F@B guy a few times prior. You meet for a private cocktail party, then enter MDR when everyone else was seated on the upper staircase with all watching us.I do remember a wonderful velvety Cab at dinner and better grade Champagne at prior cocktail even. Nice event, no Captain. Was co hosted by hostess and F@B man.

 

 

Celebrity have changed the dining arrangements and no longer have a Captains Table in the MDR. How long before Royal follows suit?

[gw2fll]

OP - thanks for posting. I have often wondered as well.

 

We have the RS for an upcoming cruise and trying to gain an idea of what to expect. It would be a nice treat to dine with the Captain.

 

I recall on our sailing on Adventure of the Seas, we met the family in the Royal Family Suite. They dined with the Captain one evening and were invited to the bridge as the ship left St Maarten. (Their son got to press the "button" for the horn as they were leaving.) I have often wondered if it was the cabin they booked or because they were a very courteous, outgoing family.

[Garavar]

OP - thanks for posting. I have often wondered as well.

 

We have the RS for an upcoming cruise and trying to gain an idea of what to expect. It would be a nice treat to dine with the Captain.

 

I recall on our sailing on Adventure of the Seas, we met the family in the Royal Family Suite. They dined with the Captain one evening and were invited to the bridge as the ship left St Maarten. (Their son got to press the "button" for the horn as they were leaving.) I have often wondered if it was the cabin they booked or because they were a very courteous, outgoing family.

 

Clearly not the cabin it seems, I've booked GSs and RFS with no luck

[webteach]

My husband speaks fluent Norwegian and stopped to talk to the captain in Chops on the Brilliance last year. They had several Norwegian places in common. We were invited to dinner with him on that trip which was a lovely idea but because of the male/female seating arrangement, I was the one sitting beside him and we had nothing to talk about! It was too loud and too rude for them to lean over me for conversation- slightly awkward dinner!

[billsgal]

Have dined with the Captain 3 times. First time it was because we "looked like a fun group." We actually were. Dinner started at 8:30 and we were still there at 11:45 while they were setting up for the Chocolate Buffet (1999).

The second time was on a Trans Atlantic. We (the guys) were wearing Flamingo Ties with our tuxes at the Captains Reception. He asked about them and a friend told the story behind them. He commented we seemed like a fun group of friends and she said we were, and he should have dinner with us. So two nights before the last Formal Night the Captain personally came looking for us in the Diamond/Concierge Event to get our room numbers for an invitation.

The last time, the Restaurant Manager asked us. He did it privately because he wasn't asking our table mates. The reason was, he said, that they weren't quite dressed appropriately for Formal Night. He had done us a great service in changing our table and visited us every night, so he got to know us. That was also a big consideration.

The food is usually a very nice menu. It is specific to the Captain's Table, and there is nice wine with each course. It's a very nice event.

One comment, not trying to stir the pot, if you don't dress for Formal Night you likely won't be asked. I have never seen anyone at the Captain's Table in less than coat and tie for men. I don't know how they decide for first formal night, and can't say I've particularly noticed if anyone is dressed casually at the Captain's Table. But if you really want an invitation, I'd suggest dressing for Formal Night, and get to know the Maitre D'.

 

 

I used to think it had something to do with your formal nite appearance, but the last few times we have dined with the Captain we had a man sitting with us with a sport shirt, no jacket or tie and last month we had a gentleman with no jacket, a loud plaid shirt but he did have a bow tie on, he was a b2b cruiser and said he had dined with the captain the week before, and someone who had been at the Captains table with him said he was dressed the same way.

Go figure!........

[BILLP1]

If I had to eat dinner with the help I would prefer to dine with the crew that cooks ,cleans etc. Would expect some interesting dinner table conversation.

[Aussie FF]

We dined at the Captain's table last week on Voyager.

We believe it was to take the place of the Meal with an Officer, as there were only 16 Diamond Plus and 2 Pinnacle. Don't know how many of the D+ were over the 350 points required, but they did not hold a separate event, that we have had on every other cruise since we passed 350 points. (Or is that 340 points)?

Edited December 6, 2015 by Aussie FF

[Retired LEO]

We dined at the Captain's table last week on Voyager.

We believe it was to take the place of the Meal with an Officer, as there were only 16 Diamond Plus and 2 Pinnacle. Don't know how many of the D+ were over the 350 points required, but they did not hold a separate event, that we have had on every other cruise since we passed 350 points. (Or is that 340 points)?

 

It is 340 points on 7 nights or longer cruises.

[north29]

Just a short way of saying we have been on many cruises and spent a bunch of money LOL

We were only asked once. We considerate ok but not great, it was a big table and if you were not setting a couple o seats from the Captain you really never got to talk to him. I was seated beside a lovely(Beautiful) staff member in a GREAT gown, and that was fun, with local conversation with her.

The food, well the MDR must have had a bad night.

 

Overall, it was fun, but if I never get invited again I would not care. Wine did not flow well.

Edited December 6, 2015 by north29

[JMG]

When Grandeur was one of the larger ships, we were at a table in MDR with a couple that cruised many times with RCI. The man loudly asked the waiter for an invitation to dine with the Captain telling the waiter they had been on X number of cruises with the line. Back then it worked...I am not sure they would get the same results today.

 

 

On one cruise, the Ship Doctor and Nurse was "assigned" to our table for the formal nights. They were from Canada doing a 2 month assignment on the ship. We got the complimentary bottles of wine with dinner.

 

One cruise we got a last minute invitation to dine with the Capt. When we got together for cocktails we learned that the other individuals at the table were traveling as a group - first cruise. One of the gentlemen worked for a RCI supplier. He asked Miami to set up dinner with the Capt. We got the seats across from the Capt. It was an awkward event...the first timers talked about the nice "boat". We did get the invite to tour the bridge and on that tour, the Capt spoke more with us than the "boat" lovers.

 

I do agree, there are many ways that one gets invited to dine with the Capt. Who you know, what you know, how you dress/act, and just being in the right place at the right time. And there are some Capt that do not want this duty and pass it off to the Hotel Director to be the host of the table.

[14Terry]

DW and I received an invitation to dine with the captain on the Grandeur a fee cruises ago. It was very nice and the menu we ordered from was different from the MDR menu. I recall the food was outstanding along with the service. Along with us was a couple who were Pinnacle members and another couple from Norway, along with 2 other officers. On this cruise we were in an OS. The captain was a very gracious host. We were Emerald members at the time.

 

 

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[foxgoodrich]

We are D+ and did an Alaska cruise in Sept (Jewel) with another couple who had never cruised before. The 4 of us shared a RFS, which was great since it gave them CL privileges too as we were in a full suite. (This was our 22nd RC cruise, and we'd never dined at the Captain's table before, though we have sailed in every suite category except the RS in the past.)

 

The concierge was a very young man, very customer service oriented, very friendly, and he helped us with a couple of reservations, and a small problem with a D+ discount. He was efficient, personable and nice throughout our interactions, and he asked if there was anything else he could do for me.

I grinned and said "Sure! Can you get us an invite to dine at the Captain's table?"

I was actually just kidding around with him, but his response was "As a matter of fact I can…let me just check…how about the 2nd formal night?"

"That would be just great!" I replied and I nearly broke an ankle racing over to the table in the CL to tell DH and our friends.

 

We met in a lounge area for cocktails before dinner. There were 2 other couples at the table that night, in addition to the 4 of us. After drinks, we were escorted to the staircase and descended to the Captain's Table on the main floor of the MDR…it seemed very dramatic! Our host officers were there to greet us at the table. Our hosts that evening were the Environmental Officer and Ship Doctor, both really interesting and fun people to dine with! A photo was taken of the 8 of us with the officers, and we were all given a photo after dinner.

 

Our menu was nicer than the main MDR menu that night, and I have a copy of it but not at my fingertips at the moment…:o. Seems like there weren't as many choices of starters and entrées on our special menu, but all the choices were a bit of an upgrade. The dessert was spectacular, and the wines were excellent. All the food was good and the service was flawless. I think we were offered an after dinner cordial with dessert, or maybe after (?), as well.

 

We had second seating on this cruise, and I think that on most ships the Captain himself only hosts his table at the main seating (early seating.) (I'm sure there are probably ship-by-ship exceptions, though - this is just my observation from our cruises.) So most likely second seating invites to the Captain's Table would be hosted by officers other than the Captain, as ours was.

 

We had a wonderful time that evening, enjoyed our interaction with our officer hosts very much, and our friends were so impressed to have this experience on their first cruise ever. :D

 

So…it can't hurt to talk to the Concierge! That's what did it for us.

Judy